Premiere: Leo James – Capital

2017 marks the 100th anniversary of the Russian Revolution, and the 150th anniversary of the first publication of Karl Marx’s Capital Volume 1; meanwhile the (western) world seems to inch ever closer to right-wing disaster. What better time for some dancefloor socialism? Luckily Australian workaholic (six EPs in two years, most recently on Berceuse Heroique), former Canyons man, and If-Only podcast contributor Leo James has used his ability to serve this up for our needs.

‘Capital’ is built around samples from everybody’s favourite social democrat septuagenarian Bernie Sanders, and the late Tony Benn – now a bit of a dancefloor veteran, having also popped up on DJ Sprinkles and Mark Fell’s Fresh Insights EPs. Despite all the contemporary talk of politics and club culture, explicitly mixing up ideological views and music is something many artists and producers tend to avoid, and it certainly comes with risks, but James has successfully avoided the pitfalls of appearing preachy or self-righteous. Instead, ‘Capital’ is an epic eight minutes of nervous energy 808 electro and near-euphoric piano chords, tight arpeggios and even some sax squawks, a balance of elements perfectly matching the passionate proclamations of Benn and Sanders.

Punishment Capital is out August 28th on Body Language – pre-order the vinyl here.